Cost of Travel in Laos

Wat Phu Temple

Ask a traveler about the country of Laos and surely one of the first words emitted will be somewhere along the lines of relaxation. Maybe it’s the surrounding countries filled with bustling industry and mega-populations of people zooming around that makes Laos a quiet haven in the midst of SE Asia. Along with a relaxed atmosphere and a chilled out population, Laos also offers some relaxed costs of travel.

Cost of Accommodation

Accommodation in Laos for budget travelers is in the form of Guest Houses that normally offer a selection of different rooms, with fan, with air con, double or single.

The cheapest rooms I stayed in were for 20,000 Kip ($2.50) for a double (shared with a friend) fan room.

Expect to pay anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 Kip ($3.75 to $7.50) for a double fan room.

Air conditioned double rooms can easily be found from 60,000 to 80,000 Kip ($7.50 – $10) per night.

You Might Even Get to Drive!!!

Cost of Transportation

Towns throughout Laos are pretty easy to walk around without using any other form of transportation. There are motorcycle tuk tuks called Jumbos that work as taxis. Fares should be agreed upon before riding, according to distance. Drivers will probably say a price that is twice or so higher than the actual fare, so be persistent when negotiating. Jumbos should cost around 10,000 to 20,000 Kip ($1.25 – $2.50) depending on where you are going.

Street Food

Green papaya salad and sticky rice can run as low at 5000 – 10,0000 Kip ($0.63 – $1.25) for an entire meal, add an entire grilled fish to the meal for an extra 30,000 Kip ($3.75).

Plates of rice with other dishes can be purchased in the range of around 10,000 Kip ($1.25).

Tasty baguette sandwiches are about 6000 Kip ($0.75).

In touristy areas, these same meals can cost 30,000 – 60,000 Kip ($3.75 to $7.50).

Sit Down Restaurants

The main cities of Laos are stocked with lovely International restaurants that include the likes of French, Indian, and Italian cuisine. Meals at fancy sit down restaurants run in the range of 50,000 – 100,000 per dish ($6.25 – $12.50).

1.5 L bottle of water – 5000 Kip ($0.63)

Beerlao at the 4000 Islands

Cost of Drinking / Going Out

Beer in Laos is a pretty good price, 640 ml bottles of decent Beerlao run at about 8000 – 10,000 Kip ($1 – $1.25).

I’ve never been, or even really seen a club in Laos. Most places to go out at night are chilled out, small scale bars and hanging out destinations.

Drinks can cost anywhere from 10,000 – 20,000 Kip ($1.25 – $2.50).

Boating on the Mekong River

Cost of Activities & Attractions

3 day travel on a Mekong River boat: We bargained down to 250,000 Kip ($31.25), but it would have surely been worth it to pay 300,000 Kip ($37.50)

Overall Cost of Travel in Laos

Laos is a country that is so chilled out, that if you would like to follow in the lifestyle and just chill out, it’s possible to do it for around $10 per day (or a little less) at the minimum. I spent about 80,000 to 120,000 Kip ($10 – $15) per day, seeing plenty of things!

I’m travelling to Laos with my girlfriend in a couple of weeks. Although I know Thailand pretty well, I’ve never been to Laos. Are there any dangers that we should be aware of. And where is the best place to go as we are also travelling into Vietnam and Cambodia. Any useful tips would be welcomed.